Top ten eco-friendly mother’s day gifts.

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During the month of May, we usually puzzle over the perfect mother’s day gift. Isn’t it a coincidence we also call nature as “mother?” So why not look for something that celebrate both our nurturing mothers and mother nature? For those who are still at a loss on what to give these special persons on May 11, here are ten eco-friendly gift ideas.

1. Kindle.

Who doesn’t love reading books and magazines? They are quintessential favorites for mother’s day gifts but before setting off for the nearest bookstore or ordering a magazine subscription online, consider these facts:

–The world consumes 300 million tons of paper a day. The U.S., who only accounts for 5% of the world population, consumes 30% of all paper. Around 28% of trees cut in the U.S. is used to produce paper. (Ecology.com)

–Over 5 million tons of paper end up in landfills every year, where they rot and produce methane, a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming (digital-publishing.co.uk).

Doesn’t paperless reading sounds attractive? The Amazon Kindle might just be perfect for a mother bookworm. Sure it’s clunky and resembles a doorstop more than a paperback but it’s very user friendly, can survive a drop of 30 inches, and has an ever expanding selection of books, newspapers, and magazines for downloads. It can even be used to read and answer Email anywhere, anytime.

2. Handmade soap dish from recycled record albums.

Old record albums were given a second life as soap dishes with classical lines. Basic black only.

3. Baggu Reusable Shopping Tote.

Baggu totes are chic, washable, and fold right into their own pouches. Weighs only two ounces yet can hold up to 25 pounds. Make all moms discard those ubiquitous paper and plastic bags.

4. Genuine leather shopping tote.

We may want something more substantial than a rip-resistant nylon tote since it is mothers’ day after all. This Genuine leather tote can provide the same function as the Baggu, only classier. They also lasts. However, leather isn’t washable but it can be wiped clean.

5. A book on sewing terrific totes and carryalls.

Yep, another book for a sewing mom. Who knows, it might inspire here to recycle old pants and dresses into shopping totes and start an eco-friendly home business. It’s called Sewing Terrific Totes & Carryalls: 40 Bags for Shopping, Working, Hiking, Biking & More.

6. Stainless steel water bottle.

Have you received and email saying that reusing plastic bottles or leaving a bottled water in a car will leach carcinogens into the water? Breathe easier because both Cancer.org and Snoops says it is unlikely. But why takes chances? Besides, bottled water isn’t healthier than tap water, has a carbon footprint, and presents disposal problems.

A Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle with loop cap is a better and earth friendly rehydration solution. It will last for another 10 mother’s days and when it’s time to retire it, steel can be easily recycled.

7. Natural rubber yoga mat.

A yoga mat can serve as a hint and natural rubber is a renewable resource. It goes beyond a simple mat that help us get fit. In many Asian countries, rubber trees are planted in hilly regions where they grow up to 35 feet in length before they are cut-down for a new crop of trees (a cycle that takes 25-30 years). Rubber plantations are essentially man-made forests that helps prevent soil erosion and absorb carbon dioxide. SO when we buy rubber materials, we support those man-made forests. Please check for allergic reactions though.

The Harmony Natural Rubber Yoga Mat is PVC-free and comes in mother-friendly stylish colors.

Make it complete with an eco-friendly bamboo yoga block. Bamboo is a grass and grows rapidly, unlike a tree.

8. Gym bag made from recycled materials.

Another hint. Great for mothers’ and nature’s health. Recycled Gym Bags look likes ordinary ones except for the eco-friendly materials.

9. Handmade flaxen backpack.

A handmade back pack from natural and renewable materials makes a unique mother’s day gift. It’s made by an artisan in Thailand. Great style for summer. A gift for a mother to help another mother in need. Sold in association with National Geographic.

10. Organic T-shirt.

Not another T-shirt! Well, there are T-shirts and there are organic and eco-friendly T-shirts. BuddhiWear makes them from organically grown cotton and every shirt made means 1/3 pound of chemicals wasn’t used in growing them. So mothers get a super comfy shirt and we stop poisoning the Earth.

So what really is the perfect mother’s day gift? That would only be our love.